The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-09-03
A WEST POINT ''PLEBE.'
Annoyanoes to Which G. Candi.
date Is Subjected.
First Experiences of Life at the Famous
Military Academy Reporting - Tho
"Committee OF Reception" Etc.


"Committee OF Reception" Etc.
A West Point correspondent contrib
utes the following spicy and graphic
account of life at the academy to the
Philadelphia Times:
Do you know what ''report" mcanse
Well. it usually signifies loud noise,
but when q candidate for military
laurels reports at West Point he
makes very little noise. indeed. To ex-
plain, let me refer you to my own case.
Every reader of the Times is aware
that my name is Hancock dc Grant and
that record of the same may be seen
in recent register Of the United States
Military academy. 1t was in the
spring. the balmy spring. that i received
my appointment. conditionally ac-
ccptcd, as cadet at the National
academy. With what pleasure
strobe the sylvan dclls of my Western
home; that large folded paper, bearing
the signature of the Secretary of War,
in the coat pocket next to my heart.
and the girl l loved best on the same
side. Ye gods. what bright pictures
of the future arose. cheering ut both
her and me. Who could tell but that
she. too, might some day he the bride
of Il great General. namely. myself
Hancock de Grsnts
At one moment the smoke of battle
filled the air and the roar of artillery
drowned the babble Of the pleasant
brook at our feet; the next moment
unconsciously pressed her closer to my
bosom and dreamed of cleaning sabcrs
clashing and claugimg in the greatest
battle of the age. led hy General Han
cock de Grant
The days sped by until. luckily. the
time for reporting was near. l say
luckily. because if the time had been
longer the lunatic asylum might have
claimed another recruit to its army of
enthusiasts, and in that event might
have Jared worse than [ actually did ut
.'squad drills" and "ycarIiug rccep-
tions.
A faint rumor of hahing and of drills
had reached me in my far off Western
home, but the determination Of Han
cock de Grant was that nothing should
deter him in his onward stride to fame.
Bidding all an affectionatc adieu, trac-
ing u kiss upon her lips and giving her
pressing invitation to nc present a,
the next summers hops, of which l had
heard so much, boarded an Eastern
bound train. After a long and dusty
ride West Point was reached.
My appointment commissioned me
to report at the adiutants Office. nine
o'clock Il. m., june. l8S-. l was
there on time. The adjutant of tho
academy, gentlemanly army officer.
WAS very courteous. found myself in
company with about two-scorc candi-
dates, others reporting during the sue
cccding days. Some had slready re-
ported. We were dispatched with an
orderly Gan officers valen to the
hospital, whre rigid physical examina-
lion was undergone, most of us being
adiudged suitable for the service. Re-
turning to headquarters the polite ad-
iutant babe the orderly escort us to the
barracks and deliver us to tho tender
care of tic cadet officers in charge of
new cadets.
You should have seen that motley
throng of candidates. striplings from
every part of the Union. and stamped
with TIE peculialities of their section of
country Some with darkened upper
AL 81, al, al
ing long g.tailed coats. others bob-tailed
coats; some silk hats. others Texas
sombreros. and SO on in infinite variety.
We were being towcd along. high hopes
burning, hut not without an uueasiness
as to the mysterious ways of the cadets
we saw. What was that little group
ahead? OH they were cadets. Look
AT their broad shoulders. little waists
and snowy trousers. Surely such gon-
tlemanly looking little fellows will
treat rs ike brothers. l Thought. But
woa pa and ma feel happy when go
home on vacation! l shall smile APP
provingly as | pass my soon-io-bo com
radcs. We were brushing past them.
Take your eyes of me. mister" (with
rising accent on the ''mister.')
What! could they be so rudop l
thought not, and hoped inwardly that
a!l the cadets were not capable Of
affecting such savage look Ms did the
young fellow who spoke.
Soon the barracks was reached. The
orderly returned TO bring over other re-
cruitS, leavingus completely alone For
several minutes we stood silently in the
hallway of the Tenth division OF bar
racks. Before us was an open door.
A placard displayed the word 'Office." "
Inside 1--WE knew from the sight we
caught of white trousers and cleaning
bell-buttons) were the "committee Of
reception" They were siient we were
silent Why didn't they ask VI
inp With true Western ohlvalry !
volunteered to be spokesman Of our iit-
tie band. In l bolted. but before my
lips were 70 rendey t'cir important